Patent Application
20250135503
The disclosure relates to a system and method to clean mobile devices. More specifically, this discloses a robotic system and automated method used to clean mobile devices.
Mobile devices, including, but not limited to tablets, smartphones, and smart watches have become sophisticated, widespread and pervasive. With the increasing usage of computer network services all over the world, these mobile devices are in great demand. As a result, the cost of returned, used, and refurbished mobile devices has increased. As with any used device, the used mobile device needs to be tested to determine operability and the previous customer data on the used device needs to be erased, deleted, or wiped from memory before resale because of privacy and personal security concerns. Additionally, the used mobile device needs to be cleaned and graded. Depending on the mobile device, a grade or score is assigned to each used device that corresponds to the resale price of the device. As mobile devices become more complex and the number of working parts increases, cleaning, refurbishing, testing, and grading various mobile devices is not only complicated, but also time consuming and expensive.
An in-line, conveyor-based, robotic grading system can be used to cosmetically grade used mobile devices. Currently, used mobile devices are cleaned prior to cosmetically grading. In one system, mobile devices are placed on conveyors upstream from the grading system after being sprayed with a cleaning solution and wiped dry with microfiber cloths by operators. This cleaning process slows down the loading of the mobile devices into the grading system and cleaning is not consistent. The current disclosure provides is an in-line, conveyor-based, robotic system for cleaning smartphones. Although not limited to, this cleaning process can be performed before grading to provide more consistently clean used mobile devices to the grading process. This will also facilitate greater throughput of mobile devices because operators will not need to clean phones by hand prior to loading the mobile devices into a grading system and the robotic cleaning apparatus is faster than hand cleaning.
Additionally, new mobile devices need to be cleaned after production and prior to shipping. Cleaning mobile devices according to the present disclosure can be performed at any time in their life.
The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to solving the issues relating to one or more of the problems presented in the prior art, as well as providing additional features that will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In accordance with various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that these embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art who read the present disclosure that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be made while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.
Also, the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied as a method, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method can be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments can be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which can include performing some acts concurrently, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.
An object of the invention, among others, is to provide a system and method to automatically clean mobile devices. The method for cleaning a mobile device generally includes maneuvering the mobile devices through a series of robotic cleaning operations to clean the front surface, rear surface, and sides of the mobile devices. This system and method adds automation to accelerate cleaning and consistency of cleaning mobile devices over manual operations.
Disclosed is a modular in-line robotic cleaning system with automated force control linear actuators. The system can use standard linear and rotary actuators, automated sprayers, an automated blower, a fingerprint and smudge removing roller, conveyor belts, and numerous custom parts. The robotic system can be sized and cleaning modules re-ordered to accommodate various mobile devices and cleaning processes.
In one embodiment, an automated cleaning system for a mobile device includes a conveyor to move the mobile device through the cleaning system; a first wiper to wipe an automatically dispensed cleaning solution from a first major surface of the mobile device; a first mobile device flipper to flip the mobile device 180 degrees; a side cleaner to clean four sides of the mobile device; a second wiper to wipe an automatically dispensed cleaning solution from a second major surface of the mobile device; and a first smudge remover to remove smudges from the first major surface or the second major surface of the mobile device.
The system can further include a recording device to record identification information of the mobile device.
The system can further include a second mobile device flipper to flip the mobile device 180 degrees directly after the recording device.
The system can further include a third wiper and/or a second smudge remover between the first wiper and the first mobile device flipper.
The system can further include a cleaning solution dispenser to automatically dispense the cleaning solution onto the mobile device.
In an aspect, the cleaning solution dispenser dispenses an amount of the cleaning solution based on a number of mobile devices that have moved through the cleaning system and a size of the mobile device.
In an aspect, the first mobile device flipper includes an actuator to adjust dimensions of the first mobile device flipper based on a size of the mobile device.
The system can further include a blower to blow a gas over the mobile device.
In another embodiment, a mobile device cleaner includes a plurality of automated devices to wipe all exterior surfaces of a mobile device; and a conveyor to move the mobile device past each of the plurality of automated devices.
The system can further include a flipper to flip the mobile device 180 degrees.
In an aspect, the flipper automatically adjusts for different sizes of mobile devices.
In an aspect, the system further includes an auto-cleaning mechanism to clean the conveyor.
In another embodiment, a method of cleaning a mobile device includes conveying the mobile device through a cleaning system; robotically wiping an automatically dispensed cleaning solution from a first major surface of the mobile device; flipping the mobile device; robotically wiping four sides of the mobile device; robotically wiping an automatically dispensed cleaning solution from a second major surface of the mobile device; and robotically removing smudges from the second major surface of the mobile device.
The method can further include recording identification information of the mobile device.
The method can further include flipping the mobile device 180 degrees directly after the recording.
The method can further include robotically wiping and/or robotically removing smudges from the first major surface of the mobile device twice.
The method can further include dispensing an amount of the cleaning solution based on a number of mobile devices that have moved through the cleaning system and a size of the mobile device.
The method can further include adjusting dimensions of a mobile device flipper based on a size of the mobile device.
The method can further include blowing a gas over the mobile device.
The method can further include robotically removing smudges from the first major surface of the mobile device.
The patent application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the following Figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present disclosure. Therefore, the drawings should not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present disclosure. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Described is an in-line robotic cleaning system and method with automated force control linear actuators. The cleaning system and method can also use conventional linear and rotary actuators, automated sprayers, an automated blower, conveyor belts, and numerous custom 3D-printed parts. The robotic cleaning system and method can be used to clean mobile devices.
A mobile device that is ready for cleaning can enter the cleaning system 100 by any suitable method. For example, a mobile device can be placed on the conveying system by hand or fed from a prior operation or robotic system. Photoelectric sensors can be located along the conveying system to trigger operation of the various robotic cleaning devices as a mobile device is detected while moving through the cleaning system 100.
At 105 an input device can be used to input and/or capture identification information of a mobile device for tracking purposes. The identification information can be any combination of a device make, model, part number, serial number, media access control (MAC) address, or any other suitable unique information. The input device can be a computer in which an operator can use to manually key in or enter the identification information, or an automated device to capture and read the identification information from a label such as a barcode scanner, machine vision system, and the like. If an automated device is used to capture the identification information from a label on a rear of the mobile device as the mobile device is conveyed, the mobile device can be automatically flipped or turned.
For example,
In an alternative embodiment, the first mobile device flipper 110 can be included as the first device of the cleaning system 100 depending on how mobile devices are being introduced into the cleaning system 100 and if and how identification information is being recorded. In any case, a major surface of the mobile device 101 being one of the two largest planar sides by area and opposing another major surface that is exposed when the mobile device is rotated 180 degrees.
For example,
For example, the first cleaning dispenser 115 can dispense 1 ml to 10 ml of cleaning solution based on the amount of time being dispense and the dispensing pressure. The air pressure can be in the range of 0.1 Mpa (1 bar) to 0.8 Mpa (8 bar). The dispensing time can be in a range of 0.5 sec. to 5 sec. and cycle changes based on an algorithm.
After a cleaning solution is dispensed, a first wiper 120 can be moved into contact with the major surface of the mobile device 101. For example,
Referring to
The second mobile device flipper 135 can be configured like the first mobile device flipper 110 described above. The mobile device 101 can fit into a slot in the second mobile device flipper 135 and then be rotated 180 degrees so that the display of the mobile device 101 is facing a conveyor 107 and rear of the mobile device 101 is exposed.
Now with one major surface and the sides of the mobile device 101 cleaned, the mobile device 101 can be conveyed to a second cleaning solution dispenser 145 which is followed by a third wiper 150, as shown in
In another aspect of the disclosure, an additional wiper can be included between the third wiper 150 and the smudge remover 155. The additional wiper can be included to remove any remaining cleaning solution and dirt remaining after the third wipe.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a blower 160 can be mounted above any conveyor in the system 100 to clear away any remaining cleaning solution/dirt from any surface of the mobile device 101. For example,
In another aspect of the disclosure, while moving, the conveyors 106 and/or 107 can be continuously cleaned using an auto-cleaning mechanism 170. The auto-cleaning mechanism 170 can use a smudge remover 176 (e.g. an iRoller®) to collect dust, dirt, and other particles from the conveyor 106/107 as it runs to ensure the conveyor 106/107 is clean and not transferring any particulates to the mobile device being transported on the conveyor 106/107.
As shown in
The removable component 174 and the smudge remover 176 are attached using ball bearings to allow for smooth rotation of the smudge remover 176 around an axis parallel to a plane of the conveyor 106/107. The removable component 174 can be inserted into the mounting component 172 to allow the auto cleaning to take place.
The auto-cleaning mechanism 170 is mounted and aligned so that the smudge remover 176 is against the conveyor 106/107, making enough contact to remove particles while not disturbing conveying movement. Movement of the conveyors 106/107 while the auto-cleaning mechanism 170 is fixed in place allows for the entirety of the belt of conveyors 106/107 to be cleaned during use.
In step S1, tracking data for a mobile device can be recorded. Unique identification information for a particular mobile device can be manually or automatically entered into a device traveler, a digital record, a graphic user interface, or any other suitable location. For example, a barcode scanner can be used to scan a label, QR code, media access control (MAC) address, or any other information identifying a particular mobile device.
In step S2, if the unique identification information is entered while the mobile device is face down, the mobile device can be flipped so that the surface with the electronic display is facing up.
In step S3, a wet clean can be performed. The wet clean can include dispensing a cleaning solution from an automated cleaning solution dispenser onto a first major surface of a mobile device and pressing a cleaning cloth to the first major surface to wipe the cleaning solution and dirt and/or contamination from the mobile device with a robotic wiper. The major surface can be wiped a second time. The first major surface can include a surface of the electronic display and surrounding bezel, case, or chassis.
In step S4, the mobile device can be centered on a conveying system.
In step S5, the mobile device can be flipped. The mobile device can be flipped 180 degrees so that the now cleaned first major surface is facing away from the cleaning devices, toward the conveyor, and exposing a second major surface of the mobile device.
In step S6, a side clean can be performed. The side clean can include taking lifting the mobile device from the conveyor, pressing cleaning cloth to two sides of the mobile device, rotating the mobile device 90 degrees, pressing cleaning cloth to two other sides of the mobile device, and setting the mobile device back onto the conveyor.
In step S7, a wet clean can be performed of the second major surface like that described with respect to step S3.
In step S8, a smudge clean can be performed of the second major surface. The smudge clean can include pressing a sticky pad onto the major surface of the mobile device to remove any smudges, fingerprints, and excess dirt as the mobile device is being conveyed.
Optionally, a blow clean can be performed in a suitable position of the process. The blow clean can include forcing a gas to clear away any remaining cleaning solution/dirt from the major surface of the mobile device.
The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the disclosure. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, more or less of the aforementioned components can be used to conform to that particular purpose. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the disclosure is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.
